Roller skate



March 6, 1962 R, A, SKAGGS 3,024,033

ROLLER SKATE Filed April 4, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 R. A. SKAGGS ROLLER SKATE March 6, 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 4, 1961 o. 'l INVENTOR. //'Jffff United States Patent Gtitice 3,024,033 Patented Mar. 6, 1962 3,624,033 RLLER SKATE Russell A. Skaggs, Box 271, Ansted, W. Va. Filed Apr. 4, 1961, Ser. No. 100,561 6 Claims. (Ci. 28d-11.28)

The present invention relates to a roller skate, and more particularly to roller skate wheels and a mounting therefor.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a roller skate which includes a wheel and wheel mounting that is constructed so that the parts can be readily replaced or changed quickly and easily whereby the roller skate can be easily maintained, and wherein the roller skate is light in weight and attractive and highly durable.

Another object is to provide a roller skate which includes a bracket or truck that is constructed so that wheel axles will be positively locked therein, and wherein the construction is such that the parts can be readily disassembled and replaced whenever desired or required.

Another important object is to provide a device of the character described that may be utilized speedily and with precision by even inexperienced users or individuals.

A further object is to provide a roller skate of the type stated that is economical to manufacture and eicient in operation and which is rugged in structure and foolproof in use.

Further objects and advantages of the invention are to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in a device of the character described that is economical to produce, durable in form, and conducive to the most economical use of materials and uniformity of members formed therefrom.

Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the subsequent description in the specication.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a front elevational view of a roller skate constructed according to the present invention.

FlGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the roller skate with the rear truck removed.

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken generally on the line 3 3 of FIGURE l.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is an elevational view of the wheel such as the wheel shown in FIGURE 4 and taken at right angles to the view shown in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the parts separated for illustrative purposes.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral 1i) indicates a roller skate constructed according to the present invention, and it will be seen that the roller skate 10 includes a foot plate li which includes a front and rear portion 12 and 13 respectively, Fl'GURE 2, and the numeral 14 indicates a portion of a shoe in broken lines in FIGURE 3 which is arranged above the foot plate l, and the shoe 14 is adapted to receive a foot of the user, and the shoe la may be connected to the foot plate l1 in any suitable conventional manner.

Arranged contiguous to the lower surface of the plate 11 and secured thereto is a support member l5, and the support member 15 is provided with a pair of spaced apart enlarged portions i5 that define shoulders, and these shoulders are each provided with a threaded aperture or opening 17, and the lower surfaces of the shoulders 16 are inclined as at 18. The numeral 19 indicates a disc or washer that is arranged in abutting relation with respect to the inclined surface l of the shoulder lr6, and the disc l@ is provided with an aperture 20 in the central portion thereof that registers with the apertures 17 in the shoulders.

As shown in FIGURE 2 for example the support member 15 is provided with intermediate arcuate portions 2l, and securing elements such as screws or bolts 22 extend through these arcuate portions 2l and into engagement with the plate l1, and there are also provided screws or bolts 23 which extend through the support member 15 and into engagement with the plate 11 whereby the support member 15 is iirmly aixed or secured to the plate 11.

Arranged contiguous to the disc 19 is an end member 24 which is provided with a central aperture 25 that registers with the aperture 26 and the aperture 17, and the numeral 26 indicates a yieldable body piece that has its upper end engaging the end member 24, and the yieldable body piece Z6 is provided with a longitudinally extending central bore or aperture 27 which registers with the aperture 25.

As shown in the drawings there is provided for cach skate a pair of similar trucks or brackets which are each indicated by the numeral 28, and since the construction of each is the same, a description of one will sufiice for both. Thus, it will be seen that these brackets 2S include a hase portion 29 that has a recess 35 in the upper surface thereof for snugly receiving therein the lower end of the yieldable body piece 26, and the base portion 29 is provided with a central aperture or opening 30 y which registers with the aperture 27. The numeral 3l indicates a securing element or bolt which includes an enlarged head 32 that is adapted to have a washer 36 arranged contiguous thereto, FIGURE 3, and the securing element 31 further includes a shank portion or stem 33 which extends through the registering apertures 3i), 27, 25, Ztl, and the shank 33 has its upper end threaded as at 34 for threadedly engaging the aperture 17 in. the shoulder 16.

Each bracket 28 further includes a horizontally disposed crosspiece or crossportion 37, and a pair of cylindrical end pieces 38 are secured to or formed integral with the ends of the crosspiece 37, and these end pieces 38 have opposed aligned openings 39 therein, and there is provided adjacent the inner end portion of each end piece 3S a slot 4i! for a purpose to be later described.

Each bracket 38 further embodies an integral pair of angularly arranged legs 41 that dene an upstanding section 42, and there is provided on the upper end of the upstanding section 42 a tongue 43 which is swivelly mounted in a recess 44 of an enlargement 4S on the support member 15, As shown in the drawings there is ened or provided a space or cutout i6 between the legs 41 and crosspiece 37. With the parts assembled as shown in FIGURE 3 for example, the legs 4l are arranged at an angle of approximately ten degrees with respect to the vertical.

There is provided for each bracket 2S a pair of similar axles or shafts 47, and each of the axles 47 has a lug 48 integral with the inner end thereof, and the lug 48 is adapted to `be received in the slot itl of the end piece 38. Each axle 47 further includes an outer threaded end portion 49, FIGURE 6.

The numeral 50 indicates a ball bearing unit which is mounted on each axle 47, and as shown in FIGURE 4 when the parts are in their assembled relation, a washer Si; is adapted to be arranged contiguous to the outer surface of the bearing unit 56, and a nut or fastener S2 is arranged in threaded engagement with the threaded end portion 49 of the axle 47.

Mounted on each bearing unit Si) is a wheel 5S which is provided with an inner recess 53 for snugly receiving therein the outer periphery of the bearing unit Sil, and the recess 53 defines on the inner surface of the wheel 58 a generally circular flange 54 that is provided with a central opening S for the projection therethrough of an adjacent or corresponding portion of an end piece 38. Each wheel 58 further includes adjacent its outer surface an annular `groove S6, and the numeral 57 indicates a snap ring that is arranged in engagement with the groove 56, and the snap ring S7 abuts the outer surface of the bearing Sil.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a roller skate which includes a unique and improved wheel and wheel mounting, and in use with the parts arranged as shown in the drawings, it will be seen that the roller Skate l() includes the foot plate 11 that is adapted to be attached to a wearers shoe such as the shoe 14 in any suitable manner, and the support member 15 is affixed below the plate 11 as for example by means of the screws or bolts 22 and 23. The support member 15 is shaped to include the spaced apart enlargements 45 as well as the spaced apart shoulders t6, and the shoulders 16 have the lower tapered surfaces 1S which are abutted by the discs t9. The pair of front wheels and the pair of rear wheels for each skate are similarly arranged or mounted, and it will be seen that the mounting includes the securing element 31 that has a shank 33 which extends through an aperture 30 in the base portion 29 of the bracket 28, and the shank 33 also extends through the aperture 27 in the body piece 26, and as shown in FIGURE 3 the shank 33 threadedly engages the aperture 17 in the shoulder 16, whereby the securing element 31 maintains the parts including yieldable body piece 26 in their proper assembled positions. This construction together with the tongue or ball member 43 on the upper end of the section 42 provides a yieldable mounting since the yieldable body piece 26 permits the base portion 29 to move towards and away from the member 24 so that a shock absorbing arrangement is provided. Due to the swivel engagement of the tongue 43 in the recess 44 of the enlargement 45, the bracket 28 and its associated parts can swivel or move as the body piece 26 expands or contracts.

It is to be noted that the bracket Z8 is of onepiece unitary construction and is shaped to include the crosspiece 37 that has the end pieces 33 thereon, and these end pieces 3S have opposed openings 99 therein for the projection therethrough of the axles 47. The nuts or fasteners 52. are arranged in threaded engagement with the threaded portions 49 of the axles 47, and the nuts 52 thus maintain the bearings 5t) in their proper location on the axles 47. The wheels 58 are maintained in their proper position on the bearings 50 by means of the snap rings 57 which snugly engage the inner grooves 56 in the wheels 58, and the axles 47 have their lugs 48 arranged snugly in engagement with the slots 40 in the end pieces 33. This construction is such that in the event that a wheel, axle, bearing or other element is to be replaced or removed or changed, it is only necessary to unscrew the nut S2 from the threaded end 49 of the axle 47, and then remove the washer 51 so that the bearing 50 with the wheel 58 thereon can be readily slipped off or removed from the axle 47. Then, the snap ring 57 can be disengaged from its groove 56 so that if desired or required the wheel 58 can be readily removed from the bearing Si?. With the bearing removed from the axle 47, the axle 47 can be moved inwardly so that its lug 4S will move out of engagement with the slot 40 whereby the axle 47 can be disconnected or disengaged from the bracket, as for example when it is necessary for such an axle to be replaced.

The bracket or truck 28 has a construction such that there is provided the upstanding section 42 as well as the base portion 29 and the other parts heretofore described, and as shown in FIGURE 3, the longitudinal axis of the legs 41 is arranged slightly angularly with respect to a vertically disposed plane, and these legs 41 are preferably arranged at an angle of approximately ten degrees with respect to the vertical. This construction together with the arrangement of the other parts is such that sulicient clearance is provided so that access can be readily gained to the axle and other parts in order to facilitate the removal and replacement thereof, and in addition this construction is such that the forces will be properly distributed in order to insure that a very durable and rugged construction is provided.

When it is desired to replace a member such as the member 26, it is only necesasry to unscrew the bolt or securing element 31 whereby the bracket 2S can be completely separated from the support member 15 so that any of the various parts such as the cushioning member 26 can be removed, repaired, replaced or the like.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in different shapes or sizes.

It is to be noted that in the skate of the present invention only one bearing Sti is provided for each wheel 58, as shown in the drawings.

The roller skate of the present invention includes the truck or bracket 28, the axle 47, and the wheels SS together with their associated parts, and the skate of the present invention can be used in dierent localities and for different purposes, as for example it can be used in making a skate for a small child, or it can be used in small precision roller skates, and it is also adapted to be used in regular size or larger roller skates so that the principles of the present invention are applicable to skates of diierent sizes. The ten degree angle of the legs 4l of the bracket is provided in order to permit the installation of the positive lock individual axle 47 for each wheel. To install the axle 47 it is only necessary to insert the axle through the opening 39 from the center of the bracket 28 and then slide the axle outward into locking position.

The wheel 58, bearing 50, and snap ring 57 are held securely in place as shown in the drawings, and the nut 52 may be a 4lock nut or may be an ordinary nut with a lock washer associated therewith.

The wheel 5S is constructed or shaped so that it uses one standard precision bearing 50, and the single precision bearing Sit is held in the wheel by the flange or oiset 54 on the one side of the wheel, and the snap ring 57 holds the bearing within the wheel against the ange 54.

The bracket or truck 28 is adapted to be made of a light weight material such as cast aluminum which is cutaway as at 46, and it will be seen that according to the present invention there is provided a positive lock, quick change axle 47 together with a single precision bearing wheel, and wherein the wheel 58 can be made of a suitable material such as plastic, and this construction insures that maintenance will be facilitated, and wherein the construction is durable, light in weight and attractive.

Roller skates constructed according to the present invention can be used for indoor or outdoor skating, and by using plastic wheels, the skates can be used in playrooms, gymnasiums or the like and such plastic wheels may be made of a material that will not mark floors. The trucks or brackets 23 are able to oscillate or move due to the provision of the yieldable or rubber cushions 26 together with the swivel mounting of the tongue 43 in the recess 44. Also, the present invention can be used with skates having a fixed length or else they can be used with skates having an adjustable length.

With the present invention in the event that only one Wheel or axle or the like is to be replaced or changed, then it is not necessary to remove any of the other parts since only the mounting means for that particular wheel or axle need be worked on in order to permit any one wheel, axle or other part to be replaced, repaired or the like.

For the purpose of exemplication, a particular embodiment of the invention has been shown, and described according to the best present understanding thereof, however, t will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that many changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the true spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. In a roller skate, a foot plate, a support member arranged contiguous to the lower surface of said foot plate and afxed thereto, a pair of spaced apart shoulders on said support member, a pair of spaced apart enlargements on said support member and said enlargements having recesses therein, front and rear trucks ernbodying brackets of a similar construction and each bracket including upstanding leg portions having a tongue on the upper end thereof swivelly engaging a corresponding recess, each bracket further including a lower horizontally disposed crosspiece and opposed end pieces having openings therein, there being slots in the inner portions of said end pieces, axles projecting through said openings and said axles having lugs on their inner ends for engaging said slots, bearings on said axles, wheels mounted on said bearings, a fastener engaging the outer end of each axle, each of said brackets further including a base portion integral with said crosspiece, a securing element extending through said base portion and engaging a corresponding shoulder, and a yieldable body piece mounted on each securing element.

2. The structure as defined in claim l wherein each of said shoulders includes a lower inclined surface.

3. In a roller skate, a foot plate, a support member arranged contiguous to the lower surface of said foot plate and afixed thereto, a pair of spaced apart shoulders on said support member, a pair of spaced apart enlargements on said support member and said enlargements having recesses therein, front and rear trucks embodying brackets of a similar construction and each bracket including upstanding leg portions having a tongue on the upper end thereof swivelly engaging a corresponding recess, each bracket further including a lower horizontally disposed crosspiece and opposed end pieces having openings therein, there being slots in the inner portions of said end pieces, axles projecting through said openings and said axles having lugs on their inner ends for engaging said slots, bearings on said axles, wheels mounted on said bearings, a fastener engaging the outer end of each axle, each of said brackets further including a base portion integral with said crosspiece, a securing element extending through said base portion and engaging a corresponding shoulder, and a yieldable body piece mounted on each securing element, each of said shoulders including a lower inclined surface, said leg portions being arranged at an angle of approximately ten degrees with respect to the vertical.

4. In a roller skate, a foot plate, a support member arranged contiguous to the lower surface of said foot plate and aixed thereto, a pair of spaced apart shoulders on said support member, a pair of spaced apart enlargements on said support member and said enlargements having recesses therein, front and rear trucks embodying brackets of a similar construction and each bracket including upstanding leg portions having a tongue on the upper end thereof swivelly engaging a corresponding recess, each bracket further including a lower horizontally disposed crosspiece and opposed end pieces having openings therein, there being slots in the inner portions of said end pieces, axles projecting through said openings and said axles having lugs on their inner ends for engaging said slots, bearings on said axles, wheels mounted on said bearings, a fastener engaging the outer end of each axle, each of said brackets further including a base portion integral with said crosspiece, a securing element extending through said base portion and engaging a corresponding shoulder, and a yieldable body piece mounted on each securing element, each of said shoulders including a lower inclined surface, said leg portions being arranged at an angle of approximately ten degrees with respect to the vertical, said leg portions being arranged angularly with respect to each other whereby there is defined between the leg portions and crosspiece a space, the upper ends of the leg portions merging together, and the lower ends of the leg portions being spaced from each other.

5. A roller skate comprising a foot plate, a support member arranged contiguous to the lower surface of said foot plate and secured thereto, said support member being provided with a pair of spaced apart enlarged portions providing shoulders that have lower inclined surfaces, there being threaded apertures in said shoulders, a disc arranged contiguous to the inclined surface of a shoulder and said disc having a central aperture therein which registers with the aperture in said shoulder, an end member arranged adjacent said disc and said end member having a central aperture therein, a yieldable body piece arranged adjacent said end member and said body piece having a central aperture therein, a bracket including a base portion provided with a recess in its upper surface for snugly receiving therein the lower end of said body piece and said base portion having a central aperture therein, a securing element including an enlarged head arranged contiguous to the lower surface of said base portion, and said securing element further including a shank which extends through the registering apertures in said disc, end member, body piece, and base portion, the upper end of the shank being threaded and engaging the aperture in said shoulder; said bracket further including a crosspiece having cylindrical end pieces integral therewith, said end pieces having opposed aligned openings therein, each of said end pieces having a slot in the inner portion thereof which communicates with the opening in the end piece, each bracket further including a pair of angularly arranged legs which have their upper ends converging and merging together, a tongue on the upper portion of the legs, enlargements on said support member having recesses therein for receiving a corresponding tongue, an axle extending through the opening in each saidv end piece and said axle having an outer threaded end, a lug on the inner end of said axle for engaging the slot in the end piece, a cylindrical bearing unit mounted on said axle and abutting the outer end of said end piece, a fastener arranged in threaded engagement with the outer threaded end portion of the axle, a wheel mounted on said bearing unit and said wheel including an inner central recess providing a circular flange on one side of the wheel which has a central opening therein for the .projection therethrough of a portion of said end piece, said bearing unit abutting the inner surface of said flange, there being an annular groove in the interior of said wheel adjacent the outer surface of the wheel, and a snap ring arranged in engagement with said groove and abutting the outer surface of said bearing unit.

6. A roller skate comprising a foot plate, a support member arranged contiguous to the lower surface of said foot plate and secured thereto, said support member being provided with a pair of spaced apart enlarged portions providing shoulders that have lower inclined surfaces, there being threaded apertures in said shoulders, a disc arranged contiguous to the inclined surface of a shoulder and said disc having a central aperture therein which registers with the aperture in said shoulder, an end member arranged adjacent said disc and said end member having a central aperture therein, a yieldable body piece arranged adjacent said end member and said body piece having a central aperture therein, a bracket including a base portion provided with a recess in its upper surface for snugly receiving therein the lower end of said body piece and said base portion having a central aperture therein, a securing element including an enlarged head arranged contiguous to the lower surface of said base portion, and said securing element further including a shank which extends through the registering apertures in said disc, end member, body piece, and base portion, the upper end of the shank being threaded and engaging the aperture in said shoulder; said bracket further including a crosspiece having cylindrical end pieces integral therewith, said end pieces having opposed aligned openings therein, each of said end pieces having a slot in the inner portion thereof which communicates with the opening in the end piece, each bracket further including a pair of angularly arranged legs which have their upper ends converging and merging together, a tongue on the upper portion of the legs, enlargements on said support member having recesses therein for receiving a corresponding tongue, an axle extending through the opening in each said end piece and said axle having an outer threaded end, a lug on the inner end of said axle for engaging the slot in the end piece, a cylindrical bearing unit mounted on said axle and abutting the outer end of said end piece, a fastener arranged in threaded engagement with the outer threaded end portion of the axle, a wheel mounted on said bearing unit and said wheel including an inner central recess providing a circular flange on one side of the wheel which has a central opening therein for the projection therethrough of a portion of said end piece, said bearing unit abutting the inner surface of said llange, there being an annular groove in the interior of said wheel adjacent the outer surface of the Wheel, and a snap ring arranged in engagement with said groove and abutting the outer surface of said bearing unit, there being a space between the legs and crosspiece, said legs being arranged at an angle of approximately ten degrees with respect to 10 the vertical.

References Cited inthe file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,079,185 Schmidt May 4, 1937 2,233,355 Ware Feb. 25, 1941 2,476,193 Hirschmugl July 12, 1949 

